Phalaenopsis plant named &#39;good karma&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Good Karma’, characterized by its upright plant habit; moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit; strong flowering stems; strong leaves; freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers; large light purple-colored flowers with reddish purple-colored venation and stripes and white-colored margins; and good postproduction longevity.

CROSS-REFERENCED TO CLOSELY-RELATED APPLICATIONS

Title: Varieties of Phalaenopsis Plants

Inventor: Rene Schoone

Filed: Jun. 6, 2020

Ser. No.: 62/705,003

Inventor and Applicant/Assignee hereby claims the benefit of this provisional U.S. Patent Application.

Botanical designation: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Cultivar denomination: ‘GOOD KARMA’.

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY INVENTOR and APPLICANT/ASSIGNEE

An European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application for the instant plant was filed by the Applicant/Assignee of the instant application, Floricultura B. V. of Heemskerk, The Netherlands on Sep. 17, 2020, application number 2020/2187. Foreign priority is not claimed to this European Community Plant Breeder's Rights application.

The Inventor and Applicant/Assignee assert that no publications nor advertisements relating to sales, offers for sale or public distribution occurred more than one year prior to the effective filing date of this application. Any information about the claimed plant would have been obtained from a direct or indirect disclosure from the Inventor and/or Applicant/Assignee. Inventor and Applicant/Assignee claim a prior art exception under 35 U.S.C. 102(b)(1) for disclosure and/or sales prior to the filing date but less than one year prior to the effective filing date.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis hybrida, and hereinafter referred to by the name ‘Good Karma’.

The new Phalaenopsis plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Den Hoorn and Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program is to develop new fast-growing and freely flowering Phalaenopsis plants with good leaf shape and large flowers with unique and attractive patterns and coloration.

The new Phalaenopsis plant originated from a cross-pollination in January, 2011 in Den Hoorn, The Netherlands of a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 4005, not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida identified as code number ST 3676, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Phalaenopsis plant was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination grown in a controlled greenhouse environment in Heemskerk, The Netherlands in September, 2017.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis plant by in vitro meristem propagation in a controlled environment in Assendelft, The Netherlands since September, 2018 has shown that the unique features of this new Phalaenopsis plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been observed under all possible combinations of environmental conditions and cultural practices. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmental conditions such as temperature and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Good Karma’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Good Karma’ as a new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flowering stems.     -   4. Strong leaves.     -   5. Freely flowering habit with typically two inflorescences per         plant, each inflorescence with numerous flowers.     -   6. Large light purple-colored flowers with reddish         purple-colored venation and stripes and white-colored margins.     -   7. Good postproduction longevity.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the female parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the female parent selection in flower ground color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are light purple in color whereas flowers of plants of the female parent selection are white in color. In addition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have prominent venation and stripes whereas flowers of plants of the female parent selection are densely covered with spots and have no conspicuous venation and few stripes.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of the male parent selection. Plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of the male parent selection in flower ground color as flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis are light purple in color whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection are violet in color. In addition, flowers of plants of the new Phalaenopsis have prominent venation and stripes whereas flowers of plants of the male parent selection have less conspicuous venation and fewer stripes.

Plants of the new Phalaenopsis can be compared to plants of Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Precious Love’, disclosed in U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No., 62/705,003 and in a U.S. Plant Patent application filed concurrently. In side-by-side comparisons, plants of the new Phalaenopsis differ primarily from plants of ‘Precious Love’ in flower color as plants of the new Phalaenopsis have light purple-colored flowers with reddish purple-colored venation and stripes whereas plants of ‘Precious Love’ have purplish pink-colored flowers with darker purplish pink-colored stripes and venation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis plant showing the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description which accurately describe the colors of the new Phalaenopsis plant. The photograph on the first sheet (FIG. 1) is a side perspective view of a typical flowering plant of ‘Good Karma’ grown in a container. The photograph on the second sheet (FIG. 2) is a close-up view of a typical flower of ‘Good Karma’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The aforementioned photographs and following observations and measurements describe plants grown during the early spring in 10.5-cm containers in a glass-covered greenhouse in Heemskerk, The Netherlands and under cultural practices typically used in commercial Phalaenopsis production. Plants were 18 months old when the photographs and description were taken. During the first twelve months of production of the plants, day and night temperatures averaged 27° C. During the final six months of production of the plants, day temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 22° C. and night temperatures ranged from 18° C. to 20° C. During the 18 months of production, light levels ranged from a minimum of 5,000 lux to a maximum of 10,000 lux. In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2015 Edition, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used.

-   Botanical classification: Phalaenopsis hybrida ‘Good Karma’. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 4005, not patented.         -   Male parent.—Proprietary selection of Phalaenopsis hybrida             identified as code number ST 3676, not patented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—By in vitro meristem propagation.         -   Time to initiate roots, summer and winter.—About two weeks             at temperatures about 28° C. to 30° C.         -   Time to produce a rooted young plant, summer and             winter.—About 20 to 25 weeks at temperatures about 28° C. to             30° C.         -   Root description.—Thick, fibrous; typically grey to green in             color; actual color of the roots is dependent on substrate             composition, water quality, fertilizer, substrate             temperature and age of roots. Rooting habit: Low amount of             branching; medium density. -   Plant description:     -   -   Plant form and growth habit.—Herbaceous epiphyte; upright             plant habit with typically two inflorescences per plant,             each inflorescence with numerous flowers; monopodial;             moderately vigorous to vigorous growth habit and moderate             growth rate.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of foliar plane.—About             14.7 cm.         -   Plant height, substrate level to top of             inflorescences.—About 48.4 cm.         -   Plant diameter or spread.—About 38 cm. -   Leaf description:     -   -   Arrangement and quantity.—Distichous, simple; sessile; about             seven leaves per plant.         -   Length.—About 18.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 6.2 cm.         -   Aspect.—Upright to outwardly arching.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate to narrowly elliptic; slightly carinate.         -   Apex.—Unequal acute.         -   Base.—Sheathing. Sheath length: About 1.6 cm. Sheath width:             About 1.7 cm. Sheath color: Close to 144A to 144B.         -   Margin.—Entire; slightly revolute.         -   Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth,             glabrous; slightly glossy.         -   Venation pattern.—Camptodromous.         -   Color.—Developing leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137A;             margin edges, close to a blend of 143B and 144A. Developing             leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin edges, close to             144A. Fully expanded leaves, upper surface: Close to NN137B;             margin edges, close to 143B; venation, close to NN137A.             Fully expanded leaves, lower surface: Close to 146A; margin             edges, close to 144A; venation, close to 143B. -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance and flowering habit.—Showy zygomorphic flowers             arranged on axillary branched racemes; typically two             inflorescences per plant; each inflorescence with about 21             flowers; flowers face outwardly on arching inflorescences             supported by upright peduncles; flowers with three petals,             two lateral petals and one center petal transformed into a             labellum and three sepals.         -   Fragrance.—None detected.         -   Time to flower.—Plants begin flowering about six months             after planting; plants flower naturally during the winter             into the spring.         -   Flower longevity.—Long flowering period, individual flowers             maintain good substance for about eight weeks on the plant;             flowers not persistent.         -   Inflorescence length (lowermost flower to inflorescence             apex).—About 33 cm.         -   Inflorescence width.—About 22.5 cm.         -   Flower buds.—Height: About 2.2 cm. Diameter: About 1.7 cm by             2.1 cm. Shape: Broadly ovate. Color: Close to a blend of             176B and 182B; proximally, close to 183C.         -   Flower size.—Large, about 7.3 cm (vertical) by 8.9 cm             (horizontal).         -   Flower depth.—About 3.1 cm.         -   Petals, quantity and arrangement.—Three, two lateral petals             and one center petal transformed into a labellum.         -   Lateral petals.—Length: About 4.2 cm. Width: About 5.5 cm.             Shape: Reniform to lunate. Apex: Obtuse. Margin: Entire.             Texture and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth,             glabrous, velvety; matte. Color: When opening, upper             surface: Distally, close to 76B and proximally, close to             76C; margin edges, close to NN155D; towards the base, close             to NN155D; venation, close to N78B. When opening, lower             surface: Distally, close to N75D and proximally, close to             76D; margin edges, close to NN155D; towards the base, close             to NN155B; venation, distally, close to N78C and proximally,             close to N75B. Fully opened, upper surface: Distally, close             to between 76A and 76B and proximally, close to a blend of             76D and NN155C; margin edges, close to NN155D; towards the             base, close to NN155D; venation, close to N78B; color does             not change with subsequent development. Fully opened, lower             surface: Distally, close to between 76A and 76B and             proximally, close to a blend of 60D and NN155C; margin             edges, close to NN155D; towards the base, close to NN155B;             venation, distally, close to N78C to N78D and proximally,             close to N78D to lighter than N78D; color does not change             with subsequent development.         -   Labella.—Appearance: Three-parted with two lateral lobes and             a central lobe. Length, lateral lobes: About 2.1 cm. Width,             lateral lobes: About 1.7 cm. Length, central lobe: About             3.3 cm. Width, central lobe: About 9 mm to 21 mm. Shape,             lateral lobes: Obovate. Shape, central lobe: Deltoid. Apex,             lateral lobes: Rounded. Apex, central lobe: Cleft with two             narrow and recurved cirrose tips, about 1.1 cm in length and             about 1.1 mm in width. Margins, lateral lobes: Entire;             coarsely undulate. Margins, central lobe: Entire. Texture             and luster, upper and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous,             moderately velvety; matte. Callosities: Located at the base             of the labellum and attachment point of the lateral petals;             about 5 mm in length, about 7 mm in width and about 6 mm in             height. Color: When opening, upper surface: Lateral lobes:             Close to NN155B; distally, tinged with close to lighter than             76D with dense venation, close to 71C; proximally, close to             22B and at the base, blotches and stripes, close to 184B and             184C. Central lobe: Close to 59D; towards the margins and             apex, strongly tinged with close to 164B; margin edges,             close to NN155D; venation, close to 64B and 64C; at the base             (at column connection), close to NN155D with radial stripes,             close to 176A; cirrose tips, close to 64B with margin edges,             close to NN155D. Callosities: Close to 11B; fine dots, close             to 176B and 176C. When opening, lower surface: Lateral             lobes: Close to 156D; basal margin, close to 18A; venation,             close to 64A and 64B. Central lobe: Close to N155B; towards             the margins and apex, strongly tinged with close to 165B             with venation, close to 70B; towards the base, close to 182B             to 182C and at the base (at column connection), close to             157B. Fully opened, upper surface: Lateral lobes: Close to             NN155B; distally, tinged with close to lighter than 76D with             dense venation, close to 71C; proximally, close to 22B and             at the base, blotches and stripes, close to 184B and 184C.             Central lobe: Close to 59D; towards the margins and apex,             strongly tinged with close to 161A; margin edges, close to             NN155D; venation, close to 64B and 64C; at the base (at             column connection), close to NN155D with radial stripes,             close to 176A; cirrose tips, close to 64B with margin edges,             close to NN155D. Callosities: Close to 11A to 11B; fine             dots, close to 176B and 176C. Fully opened, lower surface:             Lateral lobes: Close to 156D; basal margin, close to 162A;             venation, close to 64A and Central lobe: Close to N155B;             towards the margins and apex, strongly tinged with close to             165B with venation, close to 70B; towards the base, close to             182B to 182C and at the base (at column connection), close             to 157B.         -   Sepals.—Quantity and arrangement: Three, one upper dorsal             sepal and two lower lateral sepals. Length, dorsal sepal:             About 4.4 cm. Width, dorsal sepal: About 3.3 cm. Length,             lateral sepals: About 4.4 cm. Width, lateral sepals: About             2.8 cm. Shape, dorsal sepal: Obovate to elliptic. Shape,             lateral sepals: Ovate. Apex, dorsal sepal: Shallowly retuse.             Apex, lateral sepals: Bluntly acute. Base, dorsal and             lateral sepals: Truncate. Margin, dorsal and lateral sepals:             Entire. Texture and luster, dorsal and lateral sepals, upper             and lower surfaces: Smooth, glabrous, velvety; matte. Color,             dorsal sepal: When opening, upper surface: Close to N78C;             towards the apex, close to 76A to 76B; towards the base,             close to NN155B; margin edges, close to NN155D; venation,             close to N78A and N78B. When opening, lower surface: Close             to a blend of close to N77B and 186B; center, tinged with             close to 197C; towards the margins, close to 77C; venation,             close to N78B. Fully opened, upper surface: Close to N78C             and N78D; towards the apex, close to 77D; towards the base,             close to NN155C; margin edges, close to 76D; venation, close             to a blend of N78B and NN78A. Fully opened, lower surface:             Close to a blend of 77B and 77C; center, tinged with close             to 197C; venation at margins, close to N78B. Color, lateral             sepals: When opening, upper surface: Close to 156A and 156B;             towards the margins and apex, close to 76A with venation,             close to N78B; towards the base, close to 145C and at the             base, fine dots, close to N186D. When opening, lower             surface: Close to 70B and N77B; towards the base, tinged             with close to 197B; venation, close to a 178A. Fully opened,             upper surface: Close to N75C; towards the margins and apex,             close to N75B with venation, close to N78B; towards the             base, close to 145D and at the base, fine dots, close to             N186D. Fully opened, lower surface: Close to a blend of 77B             and N77B; towards the base, close to a blend of N75A and             77C; venation, close to a 182B.         -   Peduncles.—Length: About 54.4 cm. Diameter: About 7 mm.             Strength: Strong. Aspect: Upright to outwardly arching.             Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color: Close to             138A; densely covered with fine dots, proximally, close to             N189A and distally, close to 147A.         -   Pedicels.—Length: About 3 cm. Diameter: About 3 mm.             Strength: Moderately strong. Aspect: About 60° from peduncle             axis. Texture and luster: Smooth, glabrous; matte. Color:             Close to 146D; proximally, close 148A and distally, close to             196C.         -   Reproductive organs.—Androecium: Column length: About 9 mm.             Column width: About 6.5 mm. Column color: Close to NN155B;             faint blotch, close to 76A. Pollinia quantity: Two. Pollinia             diameter (per two pollinia): About 3 mm. Pollinia color:             Close to N25B. Gynoecium: Stigma length: About 3 mm. Stigma             width: About 5 mm. Stigma shape: Reniform. Stigma color:             Close to 157D. Ovary length: About 8 mm. Ovary diameter:             About 1 mm. Ovary color: Close to 145A. Seeds and fruits: To             date, seed and fruit development have not been observed on             plants of the new Phalaenopsis. -   Pathogen & pest resistance: To date, plants of the new Phalaenopsis     have not been shown to be resistant to pathogens and pests common to     Phalaenopsis plants. -   Temperature tolerance: Plants of the new Phalaenopsis have been     observed to tolerate temperatures ranging from about 15° to about     40° C. and are suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 12. 

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Good Karma’ as illustrated and described. 